Cormac Foley to start at scrum-half in U20 Six Nations clash against Scotland

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Wicklow-native Cormac Foley has been picked to start at scrum-half for the Ireland under-20s in their Six Nations clash against Scotland in Galashiels on Friday night.

Head coach Noel McNamara named his starting XV on Wednesday, with Foley coming in for injured Craig Casey in the only change to the team that beat England last weekend.

Foley (20) comes into the team having been a try-scoring substitute last week, with the St. Mary’s scrum-half scoring the vital final score in the 35-27 win in Cork.

In an otherwise unchanged team, Foley is partnered at half-back by Harry Byrne, and captain David Hawkshaw renews his centre partnership with Liam Turner.

In the forwards, props Josh Wycherley and Thomas Clarkson again start alongside hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin, with Charlie Ryan and Niall Murray in the second-row.

Martin Moloney, Scott Penny and number eight John Hodnett are named in the back row.

The backfield again sees full-back Jake Flannery line out with wings Conor Phillips and Jonathan Wren.

Speaking about Friday’s clash in Galashiels, McNamara said: “We got things started on a really positive note on Friday night in Cork, and it was a credit to the players with how well they finished the game.

“It was great to get the Championship off with a win like that, but there’s a new challenge in front of us this Friday and I’ve no doubt Scotland will be hurting from their loss against Italy.

“The players are very much focused on their own jobs for this Friday night, and they’re looking forward to their first away test of the campaign.”